2 Peter 2:21

2 Peter 2:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
• New International Version (NIV)It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

Context of 2 Peter 2:21

19They promise them liberty, when they themselves are the slaves of depravity—for by whatever anyone is defeated and overcome, to that [person, thing, philosophy, or concept] he is continually enslaved. 20For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world by [personal] knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, their last condition has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them not to have [personally] known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to have turned back from the holy commandment [verbally] handed on to them. 22The thing spoken of in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “A sow is washed only to wallow [again] in the mire.”

2 Peter 2:21 word by word

κρεῖττον γὰρ ἦν αὐτοῖς μὴ ἐπεγνωκέναι τὴν ὁδὸν τῆς δικαιοσύνης ἢ ἐπιγνοῦσιν ὑποστρέψαι ἐκ τῆς παραδοθείσης αὐτοῖς ἁγίας ἐντολῆς.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• it had beenεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• betterκρείττωνkreittōn · strongerG2909
• for themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• notμήmē · notG3361
• to have knownἐπιγινώσκωepiginōskō · to come to knowG1921
• the wayὁδόςhodos · roadG3598
• of righteousnessδικαιοσύνηdikaiosunē · righteousnessG1343
• thanἤē · orG2228
• to turnἐπιστρέφωepistrephō · to turnG1994
• fromἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• theἐντολήentolē · commandmentG1785
• holyἅγιοςhagios · holyG40
• deliveredπαραδίδωμιparadidōmi · to deliverG3860

Cross-references for 2 Peter 2:21

• Matthew 11:23And you, Capernaum, are you to be exalted to heaven [for your apathy and unresponsiveness]? You will descend to Hades (the realm of the dead); for if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
• Luke 12:47And that servant who knew his master’s will, and yet did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will be beaten with many lashes [of the whip],
• John 9:41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind [to spiritual things], you would have no sin [and would not be blamed for your unbelief]; but since you claim to have [spiritual] sight, [you have no excuse so] your sin and guilt remain.
• John 15:22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have [the guilt of their] sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
• Proverbs 12:28In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death [but immortality—eternal life].
• Proverbs 16:31The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.
• Matthew 21:32For John came to you [walking] in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even change your mind afterward and believe him [accepting what he proclaimed to you].
• Psalms 36:3The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
• Psalms 125:5But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways [in unresponsiveness to God], The Lord will lead them away with those who do evil. Peace be upon Israel.
• Ezekiel 3:20Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness (right standing with God) and sins, and I place an obstacle before him, he will die; since you have not warned him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered; but you will be responsible for his blood.
• Ezekiel 18:24“But when the righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits sin and acts in accordance with all the repulsive things that the wicked man does, will he live? All of his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered because of the treachery that he has committed and for his sin which he has committed; for them he shall die.
• Ezekiel 23:13I saw that she had defiled herself; they both behaved the same way.
• Zephaniah 1:6And those who have turned back from following the Lord, And those who have not sought the Lord [as their most important need] or inquired of Him.”
• Romans 7:12So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:2For you know what commandments and precepts we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Commentaries on 2 Peter 2:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21For it had been better for them not to have known - For the reasons assigned above; because they have sinned against more mercy, are capable of more sin, and are liable to greater punishment. The holy commandment - The whole religion of Christ is contained in this one commandment, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; and thy neighbor as thyself." He who obeys this great…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21For it had been better for them … - Compare the notes at Matthew 26:24. It would have been better for them, for: (1)then they would not have dishonored the cause of religion as they have now done; (2)they would not have sunk so deep in profligacy as they now have; and, (3)they would not have incurred so aggravated a condemnation in the world of woe. If people are resolved on being wicked, they had better never pretend to be good. If they are to be cast…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-22Verses 17-22 The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are set forth as empty, because there is no truth in them. As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do these darken counsel by words wherein there is no truth. Seeing that these men increase darkness in this world, it is very just that the mist of darkness should be their portion in the next. In the midst of their…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-22Peter continues to describe the false teachers by showing how they harm other people.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. the way of righteousness--"the way of truth" (2Pe 2:2). Christian doctrine, and "the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour." turn--back again; so the Greek. from the holy commandment--the Gospel which enjoins holiness; in opposition to their corruption. "Holy," not that it makes holy, but because it ought to be kept inviolate [Tittmann]. delivered--once for all; admitting no turning back.Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Peter 2:21

• Apostasy
• Backsliders
• Doctrines
• Gospel
• Judgment
• Minister, Christian
• Sin

In the dictionaries

• Chain
• Damnable
• Perish
• Privily
• Railing
• Reserve
• Riot
• Swift
• Wantonness
• Apostasy; Apostate

Commentaries on 2 Peter 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings